Manual Reduction of Torsion of an Intrascrotal Appendage Under Ultrasonographic Monitoring

• Published in: Journal of ultrasound in medicine Vol. 26; no. 3; pp. 293 - 299
• Main Authors: Park, Seong Jin, Lee, Hae Kyung, Yi, Boem Ha, Cha, Jang Gyu, Joh, Joon Hee, Hong, Hyun Sook, Kim, Hyun Cheol
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Am inst Ulrrasound Med 01.03.2007; American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
• Subjects: Adolescent; Child; Feasibility Studies; Humans; Male; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; scrotum; Scrotum - diagnostic imaging; Spermatic Cord Torsion - diagnostic imaging; Spermatic Cord Torsion - therapy; torsion; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 0278-4297; 1550-9613
• DOI: 10.7863/jum.2007.26.3.293

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of manual reduction of torsion of an intrascrotal appendage under ultrasonographic monitoring. Methods Fifteen boys with torsion of an intrascrotal appendage, confirmed by scrotal ultrasonography and clinical status, were included in the study. The boys were 6 to 13 years old (mean age, 9 years). They all had painful, unilateral swelling of the scrotum and a palpable, tender nodule on physical examination. Scrotal ultrasonography indicated a single, variably echoic mass corresponding to the intrascrotal appendage. The mass was avascular according to Doppler ultrasonography. Thirteen boys underwent manual reduction under ultrasonographic monitoring. We tried to pull and release the swollen appendage in 8 patients and gently squeezed the appendage in 5. The procedure was considered successful when ultrasonography showed reperfusion in the appendage and the patients stated complete relief of scrotal pain. In 14 boys, follow‐up scrotal ultrasonography was performed after the manual reduction. Results Successful reduction was obtained in 12 (80.0%) of 15 boys. Only 1 boy was regarded as having reduction failure; this patient had intractable pain after the trial reduction, and ultrasonography showed transient vascular flow that promptly disappeared in the appendage. On follow‐up ultrasonography, the maximal diameter ± SD of the intrascrotal appendages significantly decreased from 6.1 ± 1.2 to 4.0 ± 1.3 (P = .005) in 11 patients with successful reduction. Conclusions Manual reduction under ultrasonographic monitoring seems to be a feasible and effective method for the treatment of torsion of an intrascrotal appendage to immediately relieve pain.